Arıklı: I Will Resign if Necessary, Including Myself, if There Is Responsibility

Arıklı said the capsizing of the Filo Jet passenger vessel, which had departed Kyrenia Port for Taşucu, was being investigated in all its aspects and that the cause of the accident had yet to be established.

He expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives and said the government’s priorities were to find those still missing, ensure the treatment of the injured and support the victims’ families.

“SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE WITH ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES”

Arıklı said TRNC Coast Guard units were dispatched to the area immediately after the accident was reported, while helicopters and civilian vessels in the vicinity also joined the search and rescue operation.

He said Turkish Coast Guard and Naval Forces units had also supported the operation from the outset.

Arıklı thanked all institutions and civilian sailors involved in the search and rescue efforts.

“WE WILL NOT REACH A CONCLUSION ON THE CAUSE YET”

Arıklı said various claims had emerged regarding the cause of the accident, including reports that the vessel had taken on water from its bow and subsequently began taking on large amounts of water before capsizing.

However, he stressed that no definitive conclusion would be reached until the investigation was completed.

Possible causes, including technical failure, structural problems, stability issues, loading or ballast problems, human error, sea conditions or contact with another vessel or object, were being examined scientifically and technically, he said.

“The state’s duty is neither to protect anyone nor to accuse anyone in advance, but to establish the truth,” Arıklı said.

“THE INSPECTION PROCESS WILL ALSO BE INVESTIGATED”

Arıklı said the vessel’s inspection and sailing permits were also being examined.

He said Filo Jet had a seaworthiness certificate and classification records and that the captain held the necessary qualifications.

According to Arıklı, the vessel had sailed at 60% of its capacity and carried enough life jackets for all passengers.

He said the authorities were examining the vessel’s latest technical inspections, loading and weight distribution, stability calculations, ballast condition, departure procedures and inspections conducted by the relevant institutions.

If it was established that any public official, institution or private company had failed to fulfil its duties, action would be taken, Arıklı said.

“No one will be excluded from the investigation regardless of their position, office or status,” he said.

AIS, GPS AND RADAR RECORDS UNDER REVIEW

Arıklı said the incident should not be assessed solely as a criminal investigation, but that its technical and administrative dimensions must also be examined independently.

AIS and GPS data, radar records, VHF radio communications, onboard camera footage, engine and alarm records, maintenance and classification documents, passenger and loading records, as well as meteorological data were being reviewed, he said.

Arıklı added that independent experts from Turkey and international maritime organisations could be brought into the investigation if necessary.

“THE WRECK WILL ALSO BE EXAMINED”

Arıklı said the vessel was believed to be located at a depth of more than 500 metres, making examination of the wreck technically challenging.

However, he said this would not prevent the investigation from proceeding.

Remotely operated underwater vehicles, sonar systems and other technologies would be used to examine the wreck, particularly sections where water may have entered the vessel.

Arıklı said the question of exactly where and how the vessel began taking on water would be crucial in determining the cause of the disaster.

“THE CAUSE OF THE DEATHS WILL ALSO BE INVESTIGATED”

Arıklı said the investigation would not be limited to determining why the vessel capsized.

Authorities would also examine whether the alarm system functioned when the vessel began taking on water, whether passengers were informed in time, whether sufficient life jackets were available and whether evacuation procedures were properly followed.

The investigation would also examine whether the crew fulfilled their duties, how passengers were evacuated, when the initial distress call was made and how quickly rescue teams reached the area.

Whether some of the lives lost could have been saved will also be assessed, he said.

“I AM AWARE OF MY POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY”

Addressing calls for political responsibility, Arıklı said he was aware of his responsibility as Transport Minister for ensuring the safety of the maritime and transport system.

However, he stressed that political responsibility was different from assigning blame for an accident whose cause had not yet been established.

“I will resign if necessary, including myself, if there are people responsible,” Arıklı said, adding that he would not hesitate to act if an explicit failure, negligence or dereliction of duty was found within his ministry or any institution under its authority.

“Public office is not a position for protecting one’s office; it is a position of accountability,” he said.

“RESIGNATION IS NOT OUR PRIORITY TODAY”

Arıklı said it was not appropriate to focus on political debates while missing people were still being searched for, injured victims were receiving treatment and families were waiting for news of their loved ones.

The immediate priorities, he said, were saving lives, finding those missing, establishing the cause of the disaster and identifying any responsible parties.

He added that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent a similar disaster from happening again.